" CHERCHEZ LE JUIF."
[To Tits EDITOR OP TES "SPECTATOR."l Srn,—Having read the grotesque outburst of Anti-Semitism with which your correspondent Douglas Lewis sullies the
pages of your last issue in his letter headed " Welshmen and Budgets," I feel tempted to remonstrate with you in precisely the same language as that employed by Mr. Lewis in his offensive defence of Mr. Lloyd George. The words in italics are the only amendments called for to make the cap fit. My letter would therefore run as follows :—
"Having been a diligent reader of your paper for many, many years, I was astonished to find your columns on December 24th open to the bald and abusive contribution of your correspondent Mr. Douglas Lewis, of Stoke-under-Ham, Somerset. I ask, Sir, what sane purpose can possibly be served by thus wantonly insulting a whole people ? It would appear as if Mr. Lewis, from his prejudice and bigotry, had confined his reading entirely to Drumont, Stocker, and their obscure contemporaries," &c., &c.
It is the old stupid cry of Cherchez le Juif,—he is at the bottom of all evil, the scapegoat of all climes and all times.—I am, Sir, &c., ERNEST LESSER. 23 Portland Place, Brighton.
[We fully sympathise with Mr. Lesser's indignation, but the Jew is not the only scapegoat and bogy. The Freemason and the Jesuit share his liability to be considered at the bottom of all evil. As a rule these prejudices are held singly. We once, however, encountered a man who held them all simultaneously. He solemnly declared that his country
(Italy) was being ruined by the Jews, the Jesuits, and the Freemasons.—ED. Spectator.]
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